Moistening device fob gummed tape



AND THE LIKE.

R GUMMED TAPE, LABELS,

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. I917.

Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

z i 0 n 4 L W M F. u n r, A 8 fl m E E H J u z y T. H. K RUEGER. MOISTENING 0Ev|c r0 R GUMMED TAPE, LABELS, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3- I917- Patented Aug. 5, 1919. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 THEODORE H. KRUEGER, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 5, 19119.

Application filed October 3, 1917. Serial No. 194,470.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE H.

UEGER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Bridgeport, county of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Moistening Devices for Gummed Tape, Labels, and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to moistening devices generally and comprehends the pro-vision of a moistening element, constructed and arranged to yield or give under pressure of the thumbor hand of the user to render that covered portion functi'onless upon the application of gummedtape thereto but which at the same time will efiectively moisten the gummed surface not covered by the users thumb, and which will thereafter function to moisten the entire surface of the tape when the moistening element is released by the withdrawal of the users thumb or hand.

To theaccomplishment of these and other objects, which will manifest themselves upon a reading'of the following specification, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings several-preferable specific embodiments of my invention, by way of example, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a moistening device showing one manner in which gummed tape may be moistened according to the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illusrating a. fragmentaryend portion of the gummed tape illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the gummed side thereof moistened.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the moistening device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the centrally-located yielda'ble moistening element employed in the device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.

ig. 5 is a view in front elevation of a modified form of moistening device partly broken away and in section to more clearly illustrate its construction.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the yieldably mounted moistening element employed in the construction shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14 illustrate in front elevatlon and plan, respectively, certain other modified embodiments of the principals of my invention.

Fig. 10 is a or ss sectional view taken on line A-A of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view taken on line B-B of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view taken on line C-C of Fig. 14-.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 in detail, it will be observed that I have illustrated the principles of my invention as applied to moistening the gumn ed' surface of tape which is indicated by the numeral 1. Manifestly, however, the invention may be used to equal advantage and with corresponding results in connection with gummedla'bels, sheets, strips and the like. Vhere it is desired to moisten tape, whether it be in roll or package form, the tape is preferably housed within a magazine or dispensing device 2, provided with a slot through which it can be withdrawn for use. Immediately adjacent the slotted end of the dispensing device is arranged a moistening device, which in the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 comprises a liquid container in which is revolubly mounted upon ashaft 4:, a series of moistening elements 5, 6, 7 in the form of cylinders or drums, the surfaces of which convey moisture to the tape when drawn thereover.

As one of the important features of my invention is to provide means whereby that portion of the gu-nnned surface of the tape, which is engaged by the thumb or finger of the user, will remain dry 'while the remainder of the gummed surface is properly moistened. I provide a yielding surface preferably located in the center of the device so that the thumb of the user while applying the tape to the moistening elements, in cause the contacting surface to give or yield while the adjacent moistening surf-ace will engage and moisten the remainder of the gummed surface of the tape. Various means may be employed for accomplishing this result. In Fig. 3, I employ a soft rubber skeletonized moistening element 6 provided with apertures 8 extending therethrough. The peripheral surface of this element will give under pressure of the thumb when applied thereto as illustrated in Fig. 1, in which it will be noted that the centrally located moistening element has been depressed at that portion engaged by the thumb so that. the adjacent zones of the tape lateral-1y of the operators grasp are enabled to contact with the peripheries of the non-yielding adjacent elements 5 and 6. The result of this manipulation will leave the gummed surface of the strip unmoistened at 9 (see Fig. 2), while the remaining portion of the gummed surface will be properly moistened. Immediately upon the passage of the thumb from the device, thus relieving the pressure from the yieldable surface, that surface re gains its normal position and activity as a moistening means with the result that the tape throughout its, entire width becomes moistened in a manner thought to be obvious.

Other means may be employed for accomplishing this result and in Fig. 5, I have shown a modification in which moistening elements 10, 11 and 12 are used. The ele ments 10 and 12 are revolubly mounted upon centrally located element 11, which is of the walls of the liquid container 3, while the centrally located element 11, which is of the same structure as the adjacent element, is revolubly mounted upon a shaft 14, the latter being mounted in a yoke 15 pivotally mounted to swing on a shaft 16, the ends of which are supported in the sides of the liquid container 3. In order to maintain the element 11 in normal moisture applying position, a spring 17 is employed for the purpose. The element 11 in this instance need not be of an inherently yielding character such as'the skeletonized element 6 of Fig. 3, owing to this manner of mounting.

It will be apparent that upon the application of pressure by the thumb of the user when drawing tape over the moistening device, the entire element 11 and supporting yoke will be depressed and caused to swing or oscillate on the shaft 16 thus removing it and preventing interference with the moisture applzying surfaces of the adjacent elements. en the end of the tape has been fed past, the element 11 will rise under the power of the spring 17, and assume its normal alined posltion adjacent to the elements 10 and 12 in moisture applying position.

In Fig. 7 is illustrated a still further modified form of device in which elements 18, 19 and 20 are used, elements 18 and 20 being mounted on short stud shafts 21 mounted in the walls of the liquid container 3, while the intermediate element 19 is mounted upon and supported by an elastic or'yieldable member 22. The operation of this form of device is much the same as that illustrated in Fig. 5, excepting that it is somewhat smaller and of less complicated It is obvious that when the construction. element 19 is depressed by the thumb of the user, the member 22 will give so as to per mit its descent and upon its release it will automatically regain its normal moisture applying position. In order thatthe movement of the element'19 may be substantial, I have found It desirable to provide counter emma sinks 23, so that the full elasticity of the this form of device, the tape is grasped at one side along the longitudinal edge thereof,

thus shifting that unmoistened portion of the tape to one side as indicated in dotted outline at 9* Fig. 2.

It is also possible to efi'ect the desirable results from the structure shown in Fig. 9, where a single or unitary moistening element is employed. This element consists of a single hollow drum 26 journaled in the sides of the liquid container 3, having a peripheral wall 27 made of suitable grade and thickness of rubber or other yieldable material, so that the portion engaged by the thumb may be depressed.

In Figs. 11 and 12 I have illustrated a device in which I employ a yieldable element in the form of a brush28. This brush is removably inserted in a reservoir 3, the upper end thereof normally projecting above the reservoir and in alinement with the top surface of the adjacent moistening elements 29 and 30. Capillary attraction causes the water from the reservoir to work its way up between the bristles, which are as a consequence maintained in a moistcondition so long as there is water in the reservoir. It will be obvious that the thumb of the hand pulling the tape causes the bristles to yield or bend thus permitting the adjacent gu-mmed zones of the tape to contact with adjacent bristles which are not flexed. I may also to equal advantage employ bristles in the place of the cylindrical elements 29 and 30 andI have shown such a structure in Fig. 13, in which removable brushes 31, 32 and 33 are employed. I

In Figs. 14 and 15, I have illustrateda moistening device, each element of which is made up of a multiplicity of thin circular disks 34, each separated from its adjacent disk by a thin spacing washer 35. Each group of disks is mounted upon a shaft or spindle 36. The spaces between the adjacent disks are so small that when revolved the liquid will be carried by capillary attracti'on to the surface of the applied gummed strip of tape and thus effectively moistens it as it is drawn thereacross. The middle group of disks is preferably mounted upon a yoke 37 pivoted at 38 thus enabling it to be depressed in much the same manner as the centrally located moistening element of the construction illustrated in Fig. 5. In order to return the moisbening element to I purpose.

. way of example only,

From the foregoing, it will be noted that in all of the devices illustrated and described is provided -a yieldable surface or member which may be rendered temporarily inactive as a moisture applier to that por-. tion of the tape covered by the thumb of the user, and when the thumb is withdrawn the yielding'surface of the member or element immediately regains its moisture applying position where it can again become active in moistening the tape.

While I have illustrated and described certain preferred specific embodiments of the principles of my invention, I do so by wishing it to be understood that I desire to cover the said principles in whatever form they may find embodiment.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new. herein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A moistener for gummed tape including moistening means of a length not less than the width of the tape and across which the tape is drawn, a portion of the moistening means being yieldable independently of other parts thereof so that said yieldable.

portion can be moved out of operative position leaving the other parts in operative position.

2. A moistener for gummed tape, includ ing rotary moistening means of a length not less than the Width of the tape and across which the tape is drawn, a portion ofthe periphery of the rotary moistening means being yieldable independently of other parts thereof so that said yieldable portion can be caused to function without interfering with the operation of the other parts of the rotary moistening member.

3. A moistener for gummed tape including a cylindrical moistening means mounted to rotate about its longitudinal axis and of a length not less than the width of the tape, a portion of the moistening periphery of the cylindrical moistening element being yieldable under pressure independently of other parts of the 'moistening means, so that the yieldable portion can function while the other parts of the moistening element remain in operative position.

4. A moistener for gummed tape, including a series of independent moistening elements having a length not less than the width of the tape and across which the tape is drawn, one of the moistening elements being yieldably supported so that it is bodily movable independent of the other moistening elements.

5. A moistener for gummed tape including a series I of moistening rollers across which the tape is drawn, one of the moistening rollers being yieldably supported so that it can be moved into inoperative position without interfering with the other moistening rollers. 6. A moistener for gummed tape, including a series of moistening rollers, a yieldable support for one of the moistening rollers,

and fixed supports for the other moistening rollers, the yieldably supported moistenmg roller being movable into inoperative position independently of the fixedly supported moistening rollers.

7. A moistener for gummed tape including a series of independent moisteningmollers, a swinging yoke upon which oneof the rollers is jou-rnaled, fixed supports for the other rollers, and yielding means acting upon the swinging yoke to hold the roller thereon normally in operative position, the

yieldably supported roller being movable into inoperative position independently of the fixedly supported rollers.

8. A moistener for gummed tape including a plurality of independent moistening rollers, a movable support on which one of the rollers is journaled, and yielding means acting upon the movable support to hold the roller mounted thereon normally in operative position, the said roller being movable into inoperative position independently of the other rollers.

9. A moistener for gumnied tape including a plurality of moistening rollers across which the tape is drawn, one of the rollers being mounted to yield independently of the other rollers.

THEODORE H. KRUEGER' 

